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Softbank Corp. seems to be also considering buying MetroPCS
through the purchase of Sprint Nextel, reports claim.

The major Japanese mobile phone carrier is in talks with Sprint to acquire a large stake in the third-largest mobile phone carrier in the United States, in a deal estimated to exceed 1 trillion yen.

Although MetroPCS has already agreed to merge with T-Mobile USA Inc.,, Softbank will start a takeover battle over the acquisition of the U.S. mobile phone carrier, according to Japan?s economic journal Nikkei.

Softbank announced earlier this month it will acquire smaller Japanese mobile phone service operator eAccess Ltd., increasing the total number of its subscribers to around 34 million in Japan.

By acquiring the the two U.S. carriers, Softbank will become one of the leading global communications companies with some 100 million total subscribers.

Currently, Verizon Wireless have more than 100 million subscribers in the U.S. market.

Softbank said in a statement Friday that it is "currently engaged in discussions with Sprint regarding a potential investment by Softbank in Sprint," adding that no agreements have been reached.

Sprint on Thursday confirmed in a statement that it is currently engaged in talks with Softbank on "a potential substantial investment" by the Japanese carrier.